2007 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 154 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 10 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical systemFeb 14, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
Campaign 20V088000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Campaign 13V114000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveSep 7, 2011
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DESIGNED TO BE TURNED OFF IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING WHEN CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THERE IS A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEAT OR THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS), WHICH CLASSIFIES THE OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, MAY MISCLASSIFY AN ADULT PASSENGER AS A CHILD OR CHILD SEAT AND IMPROPERLY TURN OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. WHEN THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL.
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN THE OCS MISCLASSIFIES AN ADULT PASSENGER. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF, THE FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN SOME FRONTAL COLLISIONS, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.
KIA WILL UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN THE SORENTO OCS CONTROL MODULE AT NO CHARGE. THE RECALL REMEDY IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE UNDER SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC076. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 11V473000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 17, 2009
HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Campaign 09V130000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
9 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jul 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 218,000. **TR *TR
Structure, Apr 9, 2017
THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I HAVE MADE EVERY ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE DOOR SHORT OF CUTTING THE INTERIOR PANEL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE NOT MENTION A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS LOCKING DOOR ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MANY OWNERS AND SEVERAL KIA MODELS COVERING YEARS FROM 2004 TO 2011. THERE WERE THIRD PARTY REPORTS OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THE ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE OCCURRED AFTER RETURNING TO OUR VEHICLE AFTER SHOPPING AT LOWE'S. THE DOOR WORKED WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE STORE. WE HAD OPENED THE DOOR TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM TO RETURN TO THE STORE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVERS DOOR AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LATCHES REPAIRED FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM WHERE THEY WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE DUE TO A PLASTIC PART BREAKING. IT HAPPENED A THIRD TIME ON THE DRIVERS DOOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND I FIXED IT WITH MY OWN, STRONGER HOME MADE PARTS. I HAVE A 1972 CHEVELLE AND A 1967 CAMARO AND THOSE, ORIGINAL, DOOR LATCHES WORK FLAWLESSLY. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS!
Air bags, Structure, Oct 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS JAMMED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Steering, Seat belts, Structure, Aug 23, 2015
EACH DOOR HANDLE IS POPPING AND I'M UNABLE TO OPEN DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAS STOPPED WORKING AND AT THE TIME THE CHILD LOCK WAS ON AND I CAN NO LONGER USE THAT DOOR AT ALL. THE SEATBELT ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT BUCKLE INTO THE SOCKET AND MY CHILD HAS TO WRAP THE BELT AROUND HIM WHEN HE RIDES IN THE BACK. SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR, NOT ONLY WILL HE NOT BE FULLY COVERED BY HIS SAFETY SEAT, BUT IF WE SHOULD HAVE TO ESCAPE SUDDENLY, NEITHER OF US CAN JUST OPEN OUR DOORS AND GET OUT! THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND IT'S QUITE EXPENSIVE TO GET FIXED AT THE DEALER. ALSO, JUST RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE GEAR SHAFT POPPED OUT OF PLACE AND MY FATHER TAPED IT BACK ON SO THAT I'M ABLE TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND SCHOOL.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Wheels, Aug 5, 2015
WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR, THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY OR AN ACCIDENT. I'VE GONE TO THE KIA DEALER AND THEY ARE QUOTING AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT JUST TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ISSUE. THIS IS INCONVENIENT WHILE I TRAVEL TO AND FROM WORK, AS I HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE IN ORDER TO GET IN THE CAR! THE PROBLEM INITIALLY BEGAN DECEMBER OF 2014, AND MY FATHER HAD TO LEAVE A STICK OR A WIRED HANGER ON THE FLOOR BOARDS SO THAT WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE I WOULD LEAN IN THROUGH EITHER THE PASSENGER OR REAR DRIVERS DOOR TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR. ON 8/4/15, THE DOOR HAS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AS THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AS WELL. I HAVEN'T FOUND AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR PERSON THAT CAN ACTUALLY FIX THIS ISSUE AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS ATTENTION ASAP!
Structure, Jul 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT EXTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE THREE DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,469.
Structure, Wheels, Service brakes, Aug 16, 2014, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK,SHE WAS COMING TO A STOP AT THE END OF THE ROAD AND HAD NO BRAKES AND SHE CONTINUED ON ACROSS THE ROAD WENT UP THE BANK ACROSS THE ROAD AND WHEN SHE REACHED THE TOP IT BEGAN SLIDING DOWN AND ENDED UP LAYING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THANKFULLY SHE WAS NOT HURT TO BAD. I HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED OUT,REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AND PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW AND MIRROR. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER,AND STILL HAD NO BREAKS,COME TO FIND OUT AFTER CALLING KIA THEY SAID IT WAS THE (HECU) UNIT.THEY ARE SAYING IT WILL COST AROUND 1500.00 TO REPLACE THIS.I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF NOTHING MORE RIDICULOUS. THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ARE BENT-UP SOME,BUT THEY OPEN AND CLOSE JUST FINE DON'T LOOK GOOD BUT ITS STILL DRIVABLE. I THINK KIA SHOULD REPLACE THIS (HECU) BECAUSE ITS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
Structure, Mar 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR, THE HANDLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE DOOR HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE OTHER THREE DOOR HANDLES FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000. *TR
Structure, Jun 4, 2008
HAVE A 2007 NEW SEDONA FROM KIA. IT COMES WITH A KEY REMOTE THAT CLOSES THE TWO BACK PASSENGER DOORS. THESE SLIDING DOORS DO NOT STOP UNTIL IT DETECTS A STRONG RESISTANCE AGAINST IT WHICH MAKES IT VERY UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN. MY CHILD GOT HER ARM CAUGHT IN THE DOOR FOR A BRIEF SECOND LEAVING A NICE BRUISE. LUCKILY SHE PULLED HER ARM OUT BEFORE IT CLOSED ALL THE WAY. WHEN I CALLED SMITHTOWN KIA IN NY, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE SENSORS AND IT WILL STOP WHEN THERE IS ENOUGH RESISTANCE AGAINST IT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM. IMAGINE IF A CHILD DOES NOT GET THEIR ARM CAUGHT, BUT THEIR HEAD? PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THIS. THANKS. *TR